Combining Two Airline Tickets Brings Terrific Savings

Here's a tip that the airlines don't tell you: You can often get great savings on airfares--especially international airfares--when you use more than one airline ticket for the same trip.

But there is technique to it. Some challenges can arise when you use two tickets--but don't worry, I'm going to tell you how to avoid them right here.

Coming up with possible combinations

When you use two tickets for your trip, you are using two airfares, which normally couldn't be combined on the same ticket. Typically, this means booking different airlines.

So, how do you find two airfares that are cheaper than one?

One way is to think of popular cities between your origin and destination that you would love to visit. Popular cities usually have more competitive airfares.

For example, you may not find a reasonably priced ticket from your city to Malaga, Spain, but you may find a great deal to Dublin, another fabulous city to visit. And, because Malaga is popular with travelers from Ireland and the United Kingdom, it should be easy to find a cheap ticket from Dublin to Malaga.

You've saved a bundle, and enjoyed two destinations for less than the price of one.

Another way to save with two tickets is to use a budget airline for part of your trip.

For example, you probably won't find good airfares from Raleigh to Mazatlan, but you'll almost certainly come across low fares from Raleigh to Las Vegas and other major cities in the West because low-priced Southwest Airlines flies these routes.

And, because Mazatlan is a popular destination for travelers in the western U.S., you can expect to pick up a great fare from major cities to Mazatlan. In most cases, these two tickets will cost significantly less than buying one ticket from Raleigh to Mazatlan.

To see where several budget airlines fly, check out the route maps of Southwest, JetBlue, WestJet (Canada), and Ryanair (Europe, Ireland, and the United Kingdom) at their websites.

Consider secondary airports and changing airports

When setting up your two tickets, think of secondary airports and changing airports while traveling, if you really want to save.

If you're traveling to Europe, Frankfurt, Paris, Rome, and London all offer less well-known airports with incredibly cheap fares to other points in Europe. (Ryanair's site lists its European airports, which are also used by other budget airlines.)

For example, you may fly into London's Heathrow Airport from the U.S. on a bargain ticket, but you can fly on to other points in Europe more cheaply if you fly out of London's Lutton, Stansted, or Gatwick airports.

Many cities in the U.S. also have more than one airport, and usually the lesser known is predominantly used by budget airlines, such as the Midway Airport in Chicago.

Five ways to avoid inconvenience when you combine tickets

Using two tickets does increase your chances for inconvenience, so follow these procedures when you're setting up your itinerary:

* Plan to schedule at least one day between your two tickets. Suppose you arrive late on your first ticket and miss the departure flight on your second ticket? The airline on your second ticket may not have another departure to your destination that same day, or it may charge you high fees to rebook. You can avoid this potential problem by scheduling your departure for the next day from the outset - and possibly enjoy the sites, a great restaurant, or friends in that city while you're at it.

* If you must check luggage, plan to schedule at least several days between your two tickets. I always recommend that you pack everything you need in your carry-ons, but I realize this is not always possible. So, if you must check luggage, plan to schedule at least several days between your two tickets.

Since you cannot check your luggage from one airline to another when using two tickets, if your luggage is late, the airline on the second ticket may not be obligated to send your luggage on. So, if you are still in that city when it arrives, you will be able to pick it up yourself. (You can see how picking a city you'd love to visit fits in quite well with this strategy.)

And speaking of luggage, be sure to check the limits on luggage size and weight with all airlines. The rules occasionally change within the U.S., and note that airlines outside the United States have far more restrictive limits on luggage size and weight for both carry-on and check-on luggage, when your ticket does not start or end in the U.S. The penalties for noncompliance can be steep.

* Consider asking a travel agent to set up your itinerary. What if you pay for one ticket and then find that the other ticket is suddenly unavailable for the price you expected? No airline price (even one displayed clearly online) is guaranteed until it's paid for.

Because of this, you may wish to use a travel agent for two tickets. In most cases, he or she can void the first ticket if you are unable to get the second ticket.

On the other hand, if you're flexible about your dates and airports, you may wish to go for discounts on Priceline and other online sites for maximum savings.

* If you'll be switching airports, find out how much time you'll need. Research the amount of time you need to switch airports and factor that into your flight departure time. For example, if you arrive in Paris Charles de Gaulle and depart from Paris Beauvais, transferring from one to the other can take hours, unless you choose to go by taxi--quicker, but expensive.

* Although a few budget airlines, such as Southwest and JetBlue, are very financially strong, be sure to check out ones you're not familiar with. If an airline's stock price has lost most of its value, the airline may offer more than the usual number of flight cancellations and changes.

International Dirt Cheap Airline Tickets

Airfares are rising almost daily and finding a cheap or discounted airline ticket can be next to impossible. While this is true it IS still possible to find cheap airline tickets even for international and overseas travel.

These are five discount travel companies you can check out for some really dirt cheap airline tickets.

Aer Lingus - This airline is Irish and based out of Dublin. If you're looking for cheap fares to Ireland and even some other major European cities you'll find them here. They offer flights to San Francisco, Chicago and Washington among others and you can get flights as cheap as $340 one way from New York to Dublin.

Canadian Affair - The airline services primarily Canada and the U.K. and if you're flying between those two this is the last place you'll need to look. Flights start as low as 99 Pounds from major Canadian cities and the U.K. which I believe is the cheapest flights to be had. If you're flying from Canada to the U.K. just go to Canadian Affair.

Zoom Airlines - Zoom airlines is a major discounter flying to London, Paris, New York, Rome and Montreal among others. Booking more than 2 weeks in advance with then can score you some of the best dirt cheap airline tickets available. Currently they are offering round trip tickets from JFK to London for only $277!

Condor - Condor is a German discount airline that flies to the Caribbean, Alaska, Las Vegas and obviously many major European cities. Although the prices are a bit steeper than other discount airlines you can still find some great deals here from time to time. The site is fast and intuitive and definitely worth checking out.

ThompsonFly - Discount airline located in the United Kingdom offering dirt cheap flights from London to Jamaica and Cancun. Go get some sun for just 125 Pounds one way.

This list is not complete as there are literally dozens of discount airlines and travel outlets available. As ticket prices continue to rise I think you'll start to see more small airlines stepping up with huge discounts on tickets. You'll still need to research to find the best dirt cheap tickets, but I think it will be easier to find them with little or no work. These are five great places to start your search for discount tickets, now go get yourself a bargain!

Airlines Continue to Spread Wings Over Mexico

Airlines are responding to increasing U.S. and Canadian demand for service to Mexico by widening service options to the country’s many destinations. With greater air access, the airlines contribute to boosting international tourist arrivals.

During the past six months, a mix of major airlines and low-cost carriers in the United States and Canada have enhanced service schedules to different parts of Mexico through additional frequencies of existing routes and the launch of new services.

“That airlines across the board are increasing flight options to Mexico demonstrates the high degree of confidence the travel industry has in our country, and the interest travelers have in discovering Mexico for themselves. Mexicans are known around the world for their warmth and hospitality, and North American travelers will be welcomed with open arms,” said Magdalena Carral, CEO of the Mexico Tourism Board.

Expansion of air transportation inbound to Mexico is aligned with the goal of the Mexican government’s comprehensive, long-term tourism plan to increase the number of international visitors. With 21.9 million visitors in 2005, the country is ranked seventh as an international tourism destination according to World Tourism Organization figures released in June.

Among the airlines increasing flights is Delta Air Lines. In recent months, the Atlanta-based carrier initiated new non-stop service to Mexico destinations such as Acapulco, Merida, and Ixtapa from Atlanta; Mazatlan from Salt Lake City; and Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Frontier Airlines another carrier on the forefront to expand service to Mexico, has announced plans to launch round-trip service between Denver and Guadalajara. The service will mark the eighth Mexican city to be served by Frontier. The four weekly flights to Guadalajara, slated to begin Dec. 22, are part of Denver-based Frontier’s plans to increase its Mexican service by 30 percent during the peak winter holiday season; Frontier will add flight frequencies from Denver to Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. Frontier announced that it will begin new, non-stop service between San Diego and Cancun with one flight weekly starting Dec. 16.

Adding three new Mexico routes this year, United Airlines’ most recent launch was in July connecting Chicago and Cancun. The carrier had initiated its Los Angeles-Cancun and Chicago’s-Puerto Vallarta routes in March. Together, United serves 16 routes between the United States and Mexico excluding two seasonal routes, Denver-Mexico City and Denver-Ixtapa, which run during the winter months. The new flights to Mexico are offered via the United and the airline’s low-cost counterpart, Ted.

Seasonal flight services to be added during the winter months will include American Airlines’ announced plans to start one round-trip, non-stop service weekly from JFK to Mexico’s San Jose del Cabo in the Baja California region, effective Dec. 16 through April 9, 2007. The legacy airline, which has been operating flights to the Mexico market since 1941, currently serves San Jose del Cabo with three flights daily from Dallas/Fort Worth, two daily from Los Angeles, and three weekly flights from Chicago.

Other flight additions to existing routes include service by Alaska Airlines, which will lengthen its list of services to Mexico resort cities this fall with six more weekly flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco, thus increasing its Mexico capacity by 22 percent. The carrier also plans to inaugurate non-stop services between Los Angeles and La Paz, San Francisco and Cancún, and Seattle and Cancún, as well as between Portland, Oregon to both Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta.

Northwest Airlines’ announcement of additional weekday frequencies during the winter travel season between Minneapolis/St. Paul and Mexico cities Acapulco, Manzanillo and Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo. The airline, subject to government approval, will also include service from Detroit to Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo that will operate from Jan. 20 through March 31, 2007, as well as a new service between Memphis and Cozumel to operate on Saturdays from Feb. 17 through April 14, 2007.

Although Continental Airlines has not added new services in recent months, the airline is a strong player in the market currently operating more than 580 flights weekly to 30 Mexican destinations from Texas airports in Laredo, McCallen and Houston, as well as from Newark’s Liberty International Airport and Los Angeles. Continental did however, announce with Alitalia codeshare expansion already in place to provide improved transfer services between Italy, Canada and Mexico.

Canadian airlines are also hovering over Mexico skies. Air Canada will add 25 more non-stop flights per week this winter between Canada and Mexico for a total of 61 weekly. The new routes to Mexico include service between Toronto to Cozumel and Ixtapa, slated to begin mid-December, as well as a Montreal-Mexico City service introduced on June 17.

Sunwing Airlines’ announced plans to begin this fall to operate one flight each between Montreal and Ottawa to Acapulco on Wednesdays and to Cancun on Fridays. Earlier this year, Sunwing started service between Toronto and Cozumel and the airline will operate a Sudbury and Cancun route for the winter season from December through March 2007.

For the winter season, Sunquest Airlines will also begin services from Hamilton to Cancun and Riviera Maya starting in December.

Mexican airlines also expand services
The increased number of expanded routes, however, has not been limited to international services. Mexican airlines, particularly the low-cost carriers, are also boosting services. Private and semi-private airlines such as Avolar, ABC Interjet and Volaris, as well as Mexicana Airline’s carrier Click Mexicana have launched low-cost flights to different parts of Mexico. Aladia, one of Mexico’s newest airlines, is slated to launch this summer.

Mexico’s domestic service currently caters to approximately 2.5 million passengers, representing some 6.5 percent of Mexican tourists who travel via air within the country.

Flying beyond Mexico borders, Mexican airlines Aeromexico and Mexicana operate daily routes between JFK airport and Mexico City. Mexicana will also operate a route between Baltimore, Maryland and its low-fare carrier Click Mexicana will launch a Cancun-Miami flight later this summer. Avolar also plans to serve a select few of U.S. cities later this year. Within Mexico, Aeromexico is increasing flight offerings with new routes between Mexico City and Villahermosa, Merida and Cancun.

How to Sue the Airline

Have you had a bad experience travelling and want to know how to sue the airlines?

Air travelers who have been wronged may find that there’s nothing more intimidating than seeking legal action against an airline or how to sue an airline. From the smaller inconveniences of flight delays and lost luggage to the overwhelming tragedies of personal injury and loss of life, a traveler or family must pit themselves against a seemingly faceless conglomerate. By knowing how to initiate the legal process, many consumers have found a resolution when suing an airline.
A traveler may choose to sue an airline in small claims court when they have been wronged in such a manner that additional expense is incurred and the airline refuses reimbursement. Most states limit monetary awards in small claims court to between $3,000 and $7,500. A traveler may not sue in small claims court when an airline loses property or damages goods.
Factors to consider when filing: Prior to pursuing action in small claims court for suing an airline, one must determine the following:
Is the amount of the claim smaller than the state or local law monetary limit?
Does the airline do business in the court in which you are filing?
Does the airline have a contract of carriage which must be followed?
Has the airline been given the opportunity to follow any of its obligations?
Can the dispute be settled out of court?
Is it a hardship for you to appear in court?
How to file a claim: Once you have decided to sue an airline carrier in small claims court, you should contact the clerk's office for court procedures including filing fees, jurisdictional issues and ceiling on amount of money that can be awarded. It is also important to find out whether or not there is a time limit on filing the particular claim.
When filing out any small claims paperwork, it is critical to be honest and accurate. Remember to find out the legal address and official or corporate name of the airline. Then, make sure the airline has an office or has flights that leave from the area. This will give the courts jurisdiction or legal power over the airline to call them into court. It is important to be aware that the court will not be responsible for actually collecting any money for you. It is entirely your responsibility. Collecting the money owed is the most difficult part of the process so one has to learn to be patient.
With regard to flight delays: Sound legal ground also exists to sue an airline, when a plane “pushes back from the blocks” or leaves the gate on time but sits on the runway for an hour or more because of known flight delays. Airlines, in an attempt to repair their image in the midst of rampant flight delays, often resort to this tactic so they can show an on-time departure. If passengers can prove that this was the case, then they can sue. However, this is “usually a tough one to prove.” With rampant delays, it will be easier for passengers who sit on the runway for extended periods of time to prove that the airline was more concerned with protecting its image.
For mishandled baggage: The main obstacle passengers encounter when seeking legal reparation or suing an airline for mishandled baggage claims is the large number of airline restrictions. The consumer must realize that the airlines have tariffs [or rules] that prohibit compensation for nearly everything when filing a claim. The tariffs differ for each airline but typically include items such as laptop computers, jewelry and electrical appliances. Tariffs are listed in the fine print on the back of each airline ticket and, as a result, many travelers are unaware of these exclusions. Travelers who have baggage claims arising out of international flights face an additional obstacle.
Luggage liability limits differ on international air travel due to the Warsaw Convention. Drafted in 1929, this treaty sets the limit at $9.77 per pound of baggage.
For domestic travel, airlines recently raised the luggage liability limit from $1,250 to $2,500 with their implementations of the Customers First plans. While it is very difficult to recover this amount, there are certain circumstances where tariffs would not apply. For example, e-tickets are an exception because consumers do not receive a paper ticket with the restrictions listed. If the airline loses your luggage without giving you the written restrictions, you could sue on the legal foundation of negligence.
This best selling book will teach you how to sue an airline, get legally compensated and show that you will not tolerate airline abuse. This 50 page comprehensive step by step book that will guide you in properly filing an airline complaint and receiving the compensation you deserve because of being mistreated by the rude, irresponsible, ignorant and careless behavior of airline staff.

Airlines Continue to Spread Wings Over Mexico

Airlines are responding to increasing U.S. and Canadian demand for service to Mexico by widening service options to the country’s many destinations. With greater air access, the airlines contribute to boosting international tourist arrivals. During the past six months, a mix of major airlines and low-cost carriers in the United States and Canada have enhanced service schedules to different parts of Mexico through additional frequencies of existing routes and the launch of new services.“That airlines across the board are increasing flight options to Mexico demonstrates the high degree of confidence the travel industry has in our country, and the interest travelers have in discovering Mexico for themselves. Mexicans are known around the world for their warmth and hospitality, and North American travelers will be welcomed with open arms,” said Magdalena Carral, CEO of the Mexico Tourism Board.Expansion of air transportation inbound to Mexico is aligned with the goal of the Mexican government’s comprehensive, long-term tourism plan to increase the number of international visitors. With 21.9 million visitors in 2005, the country is ranked seventh as an international tourism destination according to World Tourism Organization figures released in June.Among the airlines increasing flights is Delta Air Lines. In recent months, the Atlanta-based carrier initiated new non-stop service to Mexico destinations such as Acapulco, Merida, and Ixtapa from Atlanta; Mazatlan from Salt Lake City; and Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. Frontier Airlines another carrier on the forefront to expand service to Mexico, has announced plans to launch round-trip service between Denver and Guadalajara. The service will mark the eighth Mexican city to be served by Frontier. The four weekly flights to Guadalajara, slated to begin Dec. 22, are part of Denver-based Frontier’s plans to increase its Mexican service by 30 percent during the peak winter holiday season; Frontier will add flight frequencies from Denver to Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. Frontier announced that it will begin new, non-stop service between San Diego and Cancun with one flight weekly starting Dec. 16. Adding three new Mexico routes this year, United Airlines’ most recent launch was in July connecting Chicago and Cancun. The carrier had initiated its Los Angeles-Cancun and Chicago’s-Puerto Vallarta routes in March. Together, United serves 16 routes between the United States and Mexico excluding two seasonal routes, Denver-Mexico City and Denver-Ixtapa, which run during the winter months. The new flights to Mexico are offered via the United and the airline’s low-cost counterpart, Ted.Seasonal flight services to be added during the winter months will include American Airlines’ announced plans to start one round-trip, non-stop service weekly from JFK to Mexico’s San Jose del Cabo in the Baja California region, effective Dec. 16 through April 9, 2007. The legacy airline, which has been operating flights to the Mexico market since 1941, currently serves San Jose del Cabo with three flights daily from Dallas/Fort Worth, two daily from Los Angeles, and three weekly flights from Chicago. Other flight additions to existing routes include service by Alaska Airlines, which will lengthen its list of services to Mexico resort cities this fall with six more weekly flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco, thus increasing its Mexico capacity by 22 percent. The carrier also plans to inaugurate non-stop services between Los Angeles and La Paz, San Francisco and Cancún, and Seattle and Cancún, as well as between Portland, Oregon to both Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta.Northwest Airlines’ announcement of additional weekday frequencies during the winter travel season between Minneapolis/St. Paul and Mexico cities Acapulco, Manzanillo and Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo. The airline, subject to government approval, will also include service from Detroit to Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo that will operate from Jan. 20 through March 31, 2007, as well as a new service between Memphis and Cozumel to operate on Saturdays from Feb. 17 through April 14, 2007.Although Continental Airlines has not added new services in recent months, the airline is a strong player in the market currently operating more than 580 flights weekly to 30 Mexican destinations from Texas airports in Laredo, McCallen and Houston, as well as from Newark’s Liberty International Airport and Los Angeles. Continental did however, announce with Alitalia codeshare expansion already in place to provide improved transfer services between Italy, Canada and Mexico. Canadian airlines are also hovering over Mexico skies. Air Canada will add 25 more non-stop flights per week this winter between Canada and Mexico for a total of 61 weekly. The new routes to Mexico include service between Toronto to Cozumel and Ixtapa, slated to begin mid-December, as well as a Montreal-Mexico City service introduced on June 17. Sunwing Airlines’ announced plans to begin this fall to operate one flight each between Montreal and Ottawa to Acapulco on Wednesdays and to Cancun on Fridays. Earlier this year, Sunwing started service between Toronto and Cozumel and the airline will operate a Sudbury and Cancun route for the winter season from December through March 2007. For the winter season, Sunquest Airlines will also begin services from Hamilton to Cancun and Riviera Maya starting in December. Mexican airlines also expand services The increased number of expanded routes, however, has not been limited to international services. Mexican airlines, particularly the low-cost carriers, are also boosting services. Private and semi-private airlines such as Avolar, ABC Interjet and Volaris, as well as Mexicana Airline’s carrier Click Mexicana have launched low-cost flights to different parts of Mexico. Aladia, one of Mexico’s newest airlines, is slated to launch this summer. Mexico’s domestic service currently caters to approximately 2.5 million passengers, representing some 6.5 percent of Mexican tourists who travel via air within the country. Flying beyond Mexico borders, Mexican airlines Aeromexico and Mexicana operate daily routes between JFK airport and Mexico City. Mexicana will also operate a route between Baltimore, Maryland and its low-fare carrier Click Mexicana will launch a Cancun-Miami flight later this summer. Avolar also plans to serve a select few of U.S. cities later this year. Within Mexico, Aeromexico is increasing flight offerings with new routes between Mexico City and Villahermosa, Merida and Cancun.